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Politics

2012-10-03 14:14:21

Know your local candidates

On November 6th our country will once again be allowed to exercise our freedom, and right to vote in the 2012 elections. As always, we are striving to differentiate ourselves from other media outlets, educating and informing readers and providing information that touches them personally, in their daily lives. All rhetoric aside, we want to dive deep into the issues that matter to you, the voter. In that effort, we've laid out five questions with the following candidates to gather a little insight into who they are, what they're running for, and what issues they can resolve that are important to you, the voter. We can do the same with any and all candidates.

Q&A Times: Who, exactly is Julie Menghini? What political office are you running for and what drew you to this? Menghini: I am a wife, mother of three, community and school volunteer, and the human resources director for Pittsburg Community Schools. I am running for the 3rd District Kansas State Representative seat. I am running because I served this area for 6 years in 2005-2010, and I think it is time for a strong, pragmatic, effective leader to bring experience and moderation back to Topeka. Our current legislature and governor are making reckless decisions that will negatively impact the people of SEK-from eliminating the food sales tax rebate, the renters portion of the homestead property rebate and the child care credit to almost guaranteeing that everyone’s property taxes will continue to rise due to the massive tax shift created by eliminating income taxes for big corporations. Q&A Times: What do you feel are the key concerns of the constituency and where do you stand on those issues? Menghini: By nearly all measures, Crawford County is the poorest county in the state. We need to strengthen our safety nets, encourage folks to work with the Earned Income Tax Credit (first enacted by Ronald Reagan) instead of trying to eliminate or reduce it as the conservatives did last session, provide adequate funding for education at all levels-from PreK through PSU, protect and create jobs by funding T-Works, the new comprehensive transportation plan, and work for a balanced tax policy that does not place the largest percentage of the tax burden on the working class. Q&A Times: What differentiates you from other candidates? Menghini: Experience, proven leadership abilities, a record of bi-partisanship, knowledge of both the issues and the legislative system, and life experience-as a latch-key kid from a single parent household, as the sister of a sibling who developed juvenile diabetes at age 7 and has dealt with this chronic illness and the healthcare system for over 45 years, as the mother of three children who attended public schools, as the mother of 2 children in college now, as a 14 year former volunteer board member for Elm Acres Youth and Family Services, as a 14 year former PTO president at Westside Elementary School, as a life-long Kansan who lives and works with the people of SEK and wants to make sure we all have a chance to reach our full potential. Q&A Times: What experience, professional or personal, makes you best to address these issues? Menghini: I know what it is like to struggle from paycheck to paycheck. I grew up working a regular job from the time I was 14 to help make ends meet for our family. My father died of lung cancer when I was 8, and my mother did not have a college degree. My sister has lived almost her entire life with a chronic illness. I understand the financial, physical and emotional stresses that accompany all these situations. No matter how challenging our lives become, I want to help people realize their dreams-be it to graduate from college, get a job that pays a living wage, raise a family or own a home one day. My personal and professional life experiences give me an honest, compassionate perspective and a strong desire to help people. Q&A Times: What other information is important to properly introduce you to our area? Menghini: I have the courage to do what is best for SEK and not be a puppet for the special interest groups. I am eager to develop bipartisan solutions whenever possible and practical, though I am not afraid to stand up to corporate greed and politicians who “serve” themselves first and our most vulnerable citizens and children last. I am eager to listen, to serve, and to help. I will be your voice of reason.